Series: Modern Greek Myths – Creature Encounters
Published: December 14, 2025

Written by: J. L. Richards

How long has it been? Mark asked himself as his eyes rested on the ceiling above his hospital bed—the same one he had looked at for months, maybe longer.

He raised his hands to the ceiling. “Didn’t they say I could go home?” he asked, remembering the doctor saying he had healed and was ready to be released. The nurses held clipboards with warm smiles, but since then nothing had happened.

He unlocked his phone and browsed his recent messages—once again, all unread. With a sigh, he looked at the door to his hospital room. It never seemed to move, and no sound came from the other side. Is anyone out there?

The silence answered back, heavy and absolute, as if the world beyond the door no longer existed.

His eyes drifted back to the bed. With a groan, he scooted to the edge and tried to throw his legs over. But no matter what he did, the bed held him in an unyielding grip, his body too heavy.

He collapsed back against the mattress, yet again unable to get up and out of this place.

As his gaze wandered, he fixed on the drip of the IV bag, which seemed endless, never running out. In the background, the heart monitor matched its rhythm, creating a symphony of nerve-racking calmness.

“Maybe I should just get used to it. I mean, there’s no pain, tiredness, or hunger.” He looked at the empty hospital tray in front of him. “When was the last time I ate?”

His eyes turned toward the windows—curtains always pulled down and never opened. What is it like out there? His fingers tapped the surface of the tray as his eyes attempted to peer holes through the covered windows.

With a sigh, he looked away. No use, he thought, as his gaze traveled back to the only physical item left in his possession.

A wedding ring.

He held his hand up, watching it shine in the room’s light.

“I wonder what she was like.”

The metal was cool against his skin, steady where the memory was not. Try as he might, he couldn’t summon her laugh, her touch—only the shine of the ring remained.

The sudden sound of a key in the lock interrupted his thoughts as the door to his room slid open. He lifted his head at the sound, heart leaping. Is this it? Is someone finally here to take me home?

Two nurses walked in, both beautiful, with long flowing hair and blue eyes. Their smiles were perfect—almost too perfect—as his eyes locked on them.

“Hello, Mr. Laertes,” they said in unison.

One moved to the IV bag and disconnected it. “It’s time.”

The other came to the side of the bed and offered her hand. After a moment’s hesitation, he took it. His feet finally met the ground, though his legs trembled beneath him.

On his third step, his knee buckled and the world tilted. He fell—but stopped as something solid caught him. He looked up to see the nurse bracing him upright, an arm hooked securely around his.

With a nurse on each side, they walked toward the door. For the first time, his steps crossed the threshold.

His heart swelled as he saw dozens of other nurses watching him, each wearing the same kind smile.

Relief bloomed in his chest.

After all this time, he was leaving.

But as the room faded from view, the memories of family and friends’ visits disappeared with it. The only reminder left behind was a note, illuminated by the glow of the beeping heart monitor.

Shaking handwriting etched its words:

To those who read this—

Beware the fruit that blooms in stillness.

It will muffle your hunger, still your suffering, and drain your name from your mind.

You will lie smiling in the dark,

while the world forgets you.

This is not mercy.

It’s erasure, sweetened by peace.

About This Story

The Lotus-Eaters’ Ward is the first entry in my Creature Encounters series, part of the Modern Greek Myths collection.

If you enjoyed this story, follow along so you don’t miss the next encounter.